In the Matter of Spring

Earle N. Spring, an incompetent person, was receiving life-prolonging hemodialysis treatment. On the petition of his wife and his son, who was his temporary guardian, a judge of the Probate Court found that the ward “would, if competent, choose not to receive the life prolonging treatment,” and ordered the entry of judgment that “the ward’s attending physician together with the ward’s wife and son are to make the decision with reference to the continuance or termination of the dialysis treatment.” The Appeals Court affirmed the judgment. Matter of Spring, 8 Mass. App. Ct. 831 (1979).

We…